Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-29
IRRIGATION INQUIRY.
a Card from the State Eneineer-An Irri-
CATION Legislation Commission.


EDS. RECORD UNION: Permit me TO coz
rect for myself, so far as it may relate 20
my views and to certain facts, a possible
wrong impression which your editorial
= Irrigation Inquiry may convey. The
article is So complimentary to myself and
kindly towards the work / have had in
charge, that hesitate TO appear to differ
with YOU, or to suggest correction, but it is
essential 10 the clear understanding of the
| irrigation question, and 10 that of my re-
pert thereon.
You speak of further physical examina-
| ton and da'a-more surveys, maps, irriga-
| ton and water-suppiy statistics-being
| necessary, upon which to base legislation,
| and you quote my report as apparently
substantiating this view. In this you are
| in error There is now in this Office all
the data Of this character which the State
need have, preliminary TO the establish
| mant of a system of laws and administra-
| ton on water courses, water rights, IfFlga-
| ton, etc.
The irrigation investigation committed
TO the State Engineer is finished, and
enough has been accomplished in its way
for all purposes of a study for legislation.
1t remains now to complete the publication
of the results and TO utilize the data. The
publication will, if suffered to go on, be
complete by the end Of the next fiscal year.
] have advised the formation of a temper
airy Irrigation Legislation Commission to
utilize the results. and have pointed out
reasons why such commission should be
appointed, namely
First-That whatever may be done at
any session of the Legislature, on this sub
Of
that this could best be done not only upon
the basis of the experience had in two years
with the law itself, but upon The ohserva-
ton of that experience and stnGy Of the
praciicabiiity ~ the new Law and is appii-
cability in different quarters of the State,
by such a commission.
Second THAT through the workings of
such 4 commission Cnjy can we hope TO
have the differences of opinion on this sub
ject in various quarters OF the State har-
monte 50 as to make possible the accept
Gnce Of u general system. 1t IS one thing
to do the right thing Of This character, and
another equally important to have Ii &C.
cepted-
Third-Thet only by the work of such
commission can the mass OF physical and
practical data now acquired and of poiit
ical social and legal d,ta easily acquired,
be handled and harmonious system
evolved.
wish, in advocating the appointment of
such commission, not to be understood
as opposing irrigation legislation at this
session. But ! do say, whatever is done
let the commission be created, else the sub
jet may be 10 further advanced towards
harmony and completeness next session
than it is this No one hopes, as under
stand the matter, to enact perfect law on
any irrigation point at this session, and
do not see that any general harm can be
done in the two years by enacting all i'm
perfect one now, if we have the commission
TO consider It's workings and recommend
and secure its remodcling at the next
session. Respectfully yours,
WIN HAM. BALL, State Engineer.